[ad_1]
The green MP said it was time for politicians to be held accountable and shed light on the problems within the mental health system.
At present, Swarbrick said that long wait times in New Zealand were putting lives at risk.
“Right now we know that if you go into a hospital with a broken arm, they take care of you almost immediately, whereas if you go to your GP or hospital when you are in crisis, when it comes to mental health, it can take a long time. time to be classified and seen. ”
Figures from the Ministry of Health also showed that in 2018-2019 a total of 10,217 people (23.3 percent) seeking treatment for non-acute mental health needs had to wait three weeks or more.
Meanwhile, 3,757 (8.6 percent) had to wait more than three weeks. Swarbrick said it shouldn’t be necessary for people to be in the middle of a crisis to get help.
“We must do everything in our power to prevent people from reaching a critical point,” he said. “When people have a serious mental illness, they need free, fast and quality treatment.”
“With the Green Party in government, we will push DHBs to ensure that all people with acute or severe mental health needs receive care within three hours, and that no one in need of treatment has to wait for about three weeks.”
